Which revolver would you choose.....
- Thread starter IanS
- Start date
Clarifying the parameters here:
If the answer were expanded to include any revolver, anywhere, I then would have to take into account all things, like Johnny Guest's good point that self-defense means constant carry, which means concealed carry.
Me, I don't carry steel framed guns concealed real well. I like a lighter gun. I like a concealable revolver. I like a revolver with some power. Say, something titanium or scandium, in .357 magnum, from S&W or Taurus.
If I had to use what I own, the old 2" M37 Chief's Special Airweight with boot grips would serve the purpose.
I don't read the question to mean that you only have to limit the answer to revolvers that you own.
If the answer were expanded to include any revolver, anywhere, I then would have to take into account all things, like Johnny Guest's good point that self-defense means constant carry, which means concealed carry.
Me, I don't carry steel framed guns concealed real well. I like a lighter gun. I like a concealable revolver. I like a revolver with some power. Say, something titanium or scandium, in .357 magnum, from S&W or Taurus.
If I had to use what I own, the old 2" M37 Chief's Special Airweight with boot grips would serve the purpose.
No Nonsense
I would take a Smith & Wesson model 10, 4inch barrel, Pachmyer grips, and load it with 125 grain +P semi jacketted flat nose soft points.
No adjustable sights to misalign, no ejector rod jacket for the rod to unscrew into and I would leave the trigger just as it came form the box.
This was my duty piece for 15 years and I always shot it well. Fortunately never in anger. My department replaced this with the Glock 17 with 95 grain semi jacketted, flat nose soft points. Personally I think the Glock is a better weapon, but I shot far better with the Smith, though really only in recreational terms. I would happily shoot at a paper target 50 yards away with a pistol, but an armed opponent on the street at that range would be a very different kettle of fish.
I would take a Smith & Wesson model 10, 4inch barrel, Pachmyer grips, and load it with 125 grain +P semi jacketted flat nose soft points.
No adjustable sights to misalign, no ejector rod jacket for the rod to unscrew into and I would leave the trigger just as it came form the box.
This was my duty piece for 15 years and I always shot it well. Fortunately never in anger. My department replaced this with the Glock 17 with 95 grain semi jacketted, flat nose soft points. Personally I think the Glock is a better weapon, but I shot far better with the Smith, though really only in recreational terms. I would happily shoot at a paper target 50 yards away with a pistol, but an armed opponent on the street at that range would be a very different kettle of fish.
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Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
Always interested in the other guys' kit
First, Scribe, welcome to TFL. Are you still active in police work or a related field? I recently retired after 37 years as a county and city peace officer.
Second - - Regarding a couple of points you mentioned:
)
Did you carry your M10 daily, or was it issued on an "as needed" basis? Was this the heavy barrel type or the tapered barrel? Only British cop gun I've actually seen was an HB type carried by the PC caught up in the 1980 Iranian Embassy seige.
Also, I note both loads you mention are JFNSP - - Is there a law against HP ammo there, or is this a local regulation? What company made the ammo?
Best,
Johnny
First, Scribe, welcome to TFL. Are you still active in police work or a related field? I recently retired after 37 years as a county and city peace officer.
Second - - Regarding a couple of points you mentioned:
May I ask what type agency this was? Local constabulary or central government? (This side of the pond, we'd say federal.
) Did you carry your M10 daily, or was it issued on an "as needed" basis? Was this the heavy barrel type or the tapered barrel? Only British cop gun I've actually seen was an HB type carried by the PC caught up in the 1980 Iranian Embassy seige.
Also, I note both loads you mention are JFNSP - - Is there a law against HP ammo there, or is this a local regulation? What company made the ammo?
Best,
Johnny
Johnny Guest
Thank you for your welcome and congratulations on completing your service.
I am still a serving officer, but no longer carry firearms. I have spent my time on uniform duties, and the regularity of carry depended on my posting. Sometimes it was 'If and When' though for one period I was armed every working day for four years.
When I started carrying the model 10 in 1981 the issue round was standard .38 Special 158 round nosed lead. It had indifferent performance. In the mid eighties we went to the 125 grain +p which proved to be highly effective. But the press would have had a field day if we had gone to hollow points. I understand a lot of the uninformed are appalled when they see an American officer carrying a cocked and locked 1911.
The model 10 was the heavy barrelled 4 incher. Grips were thin or target wood or heavy Pachmyers. I preferred the latter.
Over here people who own guns privately keep a low profile. The whole 'Police Carrying Guns issue' is very political, though due to recent events in London the field is now evolving fast.
People are beginning to realise that the world has always been a dangerous place. High time.
Thank you for your welcome and congratulations on completing your service.
I am still a serving officer, but no longer carry firearms. I have spent my time on uniform duties, and the regularity of carry depended on my posting. Sometimes it was 'If and When' though for one period I was armed every working day for four years.
When I started carrying the model 10 in 1981 the issue round was standard .38 Special 158 round nosed lead. It had indifferent performance. In the mid eighties we went to the 125 grain +p which proved to be highly effective. But the press would have had a field day if we had gone to hollow points. I understand a lot of the uninformed are appalled when they see an American officer carrying a cocked and locked 1911.
The model 10 was the heavy barrelled 4 incher. Grips were thin or target wood or heavy Pachmyers. I preferred the latter.
Over here people who own guns privately keep a low profile. The whole 'Police Carrying Guns issue' is very political, though due to recent events in London the field is now evolving fast.
People are beginning to realise that the world has always been a dangerous place. High time.
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GunsnRovers
New member
While I have a nice collection of bottom feeders, my primary defense gun is already my M15.
Marko Kloos
Inactive
That M15 is one of the nicest customization jobs I've ever seen.
The older I get, the more I love K frames...simple, sturdy, no-nonsense reliability.
The older I get, the more I love K frames...simple, sturdy, no-nonsense reliability.
deputy tom
New member
Either my 64 or 642.I'm not picky.tom. 
I have a model 66 as mentioned and have given it up in favor of a 640 personally. I LOVE the way the 640 carries when, for whatever reason, I do not feel like carrying my usual - a Kimber Pro Carry. The 640 is lighter, hammerless, more recoil but still comfortable to shoot, and Darn Purty 
-- Anyone want to buy my 66 with less than 300 rounds through it????
-- Anyone want to buy my 66 with less than 300 rounds through it????Richard Simmons
New member
4", 38/44 HD Model of 1950
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DarthVader
New member
How about a Ruger GP100 4" SS .357 mag.